Freedom fighters were honored in Šiauliai on January 12

In 2024 January 12 Defenders of Freedom Day was celebrated in Šiauliai. The morning in the city started with the global civic initiative "Light of Freedom", which has become a tradition. In the evening, the townspeople participated in St. The compatriots who fought for freedom were remembered in the mass, and the historic day was concluded by the festive Freedom Defenders Day event and burning commemorative bonfires held in the square near the Šiauliai City Municipality. The patriotic songs played at the celebration took us back to the night of January 1991, when our heroes fought for freedom, and made us proud of the historic victory together with the citizens of Šiauliai gathered in the heart of the city.
The organizer - Šiauliai City Municipality and Šiauliai Cultural Center.

Friday in Šiauliai started with the civic initiative "Light of Freedom", during which memorial candles were lit in the windows of schools, institutions and various organizations of the city of Šiauliai to honor freedom fighters.

On January 12, St. in the Cathedral of the Apostles Peter and Paul, St. Mass for the fallen defenders of freedom. Immediately after them, the interpretation of the important date for Lithuania moved to the square near the municipality of Šiauliai, where the Defenders of Freedom Day event was held.

The commemoration for January 13 began with the creation of an artistic composition. Here, the students of Stasys Šalkauskis Gymnasium in Šiauliai, while singing for the Chamber Choir of the Šiauliai Cultural Center "Atžalynas" (artistic director Mindaugas Žalalis), spelled out the word "Freedom". This meaningful gesture reminded us of what is really important to our nation and what we cherish and defend. The festive event continued with the National Anthem sung by the audience together with the Šiauliai Culture Center Chamber Choir "Atžalynas" (artistic director Mindaugas Žalalis).

In a solemn ceremony, all fourteen brave Lithuanians who fearlessly fought for their homeland on January 13 were named. Bells were rung in their honor, and residents of Šiauliai and city guests honored the defenders of freedom with a minute of silence.

At the event, one of the defenders of the Parliament - sculptor, member of Šiauliai City Municipality Council Gintautas Lukošaitis - shared his memories of the events of January 13. "It is a celebration of victory and memories. This date is especially important in the context of current events, in order to be free you have to be both brave and at the same time disciplined, so I wish you all courage and discipline. Happy holiday everyone," he said.

The evening program continued with patriotic songs performed by Šiauliai Cultural Center's chamber choir "Atžalynas" (artistic director M. Žalalis) and the sensual artist Ieva Narkutė, who reminded the audience that freedom is not only what our ancestors fought for, but also what unites us as a nation.

Throughout the event, commemorative bonfires were burning, reminding the sleepless days and nights of the defenders of freedom, protecting the country's main communication facility - the Vilnius TV Tower, and the 6th national team of the Resurrection District of the National Defense Volunteer Forces served a warm cup of tea to those who were cold.

The information is provided by Asta Vaitkienė, Head of the Event Organization Department of the Šiauliai Cultural Center, mobile. +370 671 42 901, e-mail asta.vaitkiene@siauliukc.lt.

Photo by Roland Parafinavičius.
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